UPSC Prelims 2010 Q120: Art & Culture – Philosophy & Religion
Among the following, who was not a proponent of bhakti cult ?
- (a) Nagarjuna
- (b) Tukaram
- (c) Tyagaraja
- (d) Vallabhacharya
Answer: (a) Nagarjuna
Explanation
Who was NOT a proponent of the Bhakti cult
The Bhakti movement had many devotional saint-poets, but one listed figure belongs to a different philosophical tradition.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Nagarjuna | NOT a Bhakti proponent | Nagarjuna was a renowned Buddhist philosopher (associated with the Madhyamika school), entirely unrelated to the Bhakti devotional movement |
| (b) Tukaram | Is a Bhakti proponent | A celebrated Marathi Bhakti saint-poet, devoted to Vithoba/Krishna |
| (c) Tyagaraja | Is a Bhakti proponent | A renowned Carnatic composer-saint, known for devotional compositions to Rama |
| (d) Vallabhacharya | Is a Bhakti proponent | Founder of the Pushti Marg tradition, a significant Bhakti philosophical school devoted to Krishna |
Bhakti movement figures:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Genuine Bhakti saints | Tukaram, Tyagaraja, Vallabhacharya |
| Not Bhakti | Nagarjuna — a Buddhist philosopher, unrelated tradition |
Answer: (a) Nagarjuna.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Nagarjuna was a Buddhist philosopher, entirely outside the Bhakti devotional tradition.
- (b) Incorrect. Tukaram was indeed a celebrated Bhakti saint-poet.
- (c) Incorrect. Tyagaraja was indeed a devotional Bhakti composer-saint.
- (d) Incorrect. Vallabhacharya founded a major Bhakti tradition (Pushti Marg).
Key point
Nagarjuna was a Buddhist philosopher, NOT a Bhakti movement proponent — unlike Tukaram, Tyagaraja, and Vallabhacharya, all genuine Bhakti saints/founders.
Remember
Nagarjuna was NOT a Bhakti cult proponent — he was a Buddhist philosopher, unlike Tukaram, Tyagaraja, and Vallabhacharya.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Nagarjuna's Buddhist philosophical tradition with the devotional Bhakti movement.
- Not knowing Vallabhacharya's specific role as founder of the Pushti Marg Bhakti school.
- Mixing up different saint-poets' regional and devotional affiliations (Marathi, Carnatic, etc.).
Exam tip
Nagarjuna = Buddhist philosopher (Madhyamika), never a Bhakti figure. A classic 'odd one out' trap across different Indian philosophical/devotional traditions.
Sources
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India (NCERT textbook for Class XI)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Nagarjuna